HK-USA's Striker-Fired Pistol Now Made in .40 Caliber

Heckler & Koch’s new .40-caliber version of its VP striker-fired pistol line is now available.

The VP40 joins the 9 mm VP9 that was introduced to the U.S. commercial and law enforcement markets in June of 2014.

"Just a year after launching the VP series pistol with the 9 mm VP9, we are thrilled to have a .40-caliber model join the line-up," Michael Holley, HK-USA Vice president for Commercial and Law Enforcement Sales, said in a recent HK-USA press release.

"For civilian shooters and law enforcement agencies looking for a little more power to go with the VP's well-recognized superior quality - this is it."

The VP pistol line has been in development for more than four years and its debut marked the return of HK to striker-fired models. Heckler & Koch pioneered striker fired handgun designs with the HK VP70 and P7 pistols more than 35 years ago and was also the first company to produce polymer frame models.

The 9 mm VP9 has been one of Heckler & Koch's most successful products - selling widely - and receiving positive reviews from civilian and law enforcement shooters throughout the U.S., according HK officials.

"Like the 9 mm VP9, the VP40 has been through just about every test and challenge possible. Heckler & Koch's strict company testing program put the VP40 through just about every trial imaginable; NATO and U.S. NIJ drop tests, water, dust, mud, and sand tests worst that the most extreme environmental conditions in the world,” Wayne Weber, president of HK-USA, said in the release.

VP40 function and abuse tests included firing thousands of rounds of a wide variety of ammunition types through several test pistols, the release states.

The VP40 has the same precise trigger that debuted on the VP9. And the VP40 grip can be customized to fit any shooter by using a mix of three interchangeable backstraps and six grip panels, according to the release.

The charging supports - a feature introduced on the first VP models is present on the VP40 as well. These small, removable wings on the rear of the slide make cocking and manipulating the pistol much easier than other handgun designs, the release states.

Covered by Heckler & Koch's limited lifetime warranty, the VP40 is designed and manufactured in Oberndorf, Germany.

The VP40 retails for $719. A law enforcement configuration VP40 with tritium night sights and three magazines is also available for $819.